There is no way that Hamilton will be left out of the lineup. He is essential to their future plans on defense, and I don't believe they want to jeopardize that by not having him play every night. The only reason he isn't playing now is because they want him to have more pro experience before being introduced to the most demanding games he will ever play in his career.

As for next year's defensive pairings, I honestly can't tell you. They have 7 top six defensemen, so there could be one of two scenarios:

1) A trade- which is a likely scenario considering the cap is going down next year. They will have difficulty carrying 7 defensemen with a lower cap and they are probably going to trade a player like Kelly or Peverley regardless. They could easily throw one of their defensemen into the trade.

If they were to go this route, it would probably be either McQuaid or Bartkowski that gets traded. Unless they were planning on something big of course, but I don't see that happening.

2) A 7-man defensive rotation- which is the less likely scenario, but still possible. This would probably involve a rotation of McQuaid, Bartkowski, and Krug on the third defensive pairing.

There is no way that Hamilton will be left out of the lineup. He is essential to their future plans on defense, and I don't believe they want to jeopardize that by not having him play every night. The only reason he isn't playing now is because they want him to have more pro experience before being introduced to the most demanding games he will ever play in his career.

I'm not so sure that is necessarily true. If it were, Krug and Bartkowski wouldn't be in the lineup either. I thik it's more performance based than anything else. In the regular season, his mistakes are a bit more tolerable than they are now. However he will definitely have a spot in the top 6 next year.

I'm not so sure that is necessarily true. If it were, Krug and Bartkowski wouldn't be in the lineup either. I thik it's more performance based than anything else. In the regular season, his mistakes are a bit more tolerable than they are now. However he will definitely have a spot in the top 6 next year.

Well, Bartkowski has 3 years of pro experience. He has been up and down between Boston and Providence during that time.

With Krug, he has an entire college career and a slightly longer career with the B's over Hamilton. He is more accustomed to facing more physically matured players than Hamilton is. Of course, the fact that he is playing as well as he is doesn't hurt his situation either.

I'm not so sure that is necessarily true. If it were, Krug and Bartkowski wouldn't be in the lineup either. I thik it's more performance based than anything else. In the regular season, his mistakes are a bit more tolerable than they are now. However he will definitely have a spot in the top 6 next year.

Well, Bartkowski has 3 years of pro experience. He has been up and down between Boston and Providence during that time.

With Krug, he has an entire college career and a slightly longer career with the B's over Hamilton. He is more accustomed to facing more physically matured players than Hamilton is. Of course, the fact that he is playing as well as he is doesn't hurt his situation either.

Agreed and I think it would be safe to say that if Hamilton had played a better Game 4 he would still be in there. I think that was the basis of CJ's decision, and not Dougie's level of experience.

The bruins only have 5 next year, sorry to say they wont sign ference, so using the elc on krug and Bart, gives them 7 allowing them to pursue a right winger as in one Pacal Dupuis, and thats if they let horton go.

So many scenarios so really it will have to wait and see over the summer.

Agree. You can't leave Boychuk off that list with the way he plays. A very courageous player who gives it all.

Boychuk stays, love the way he plays the game. B's have to keep McQuaid just for the Hab games.Is a very pleasant situation to have for the Bruins but after the euphoria of "King" Krug wears off we'll see what he brings next camp and forward,i like him though. Bart seems to have the tools so its looking like Andy Ference will be playing elsewhere.Time will tell.

I'm a big Ference fan, he's a warrior. I trust that whatever happens to him, the B's will make sure he is good with it.

I think it's also completely possible that money isn't a big thing for him anymore. He's made a good amount, and he might say i'll take a huge discount to be in boston. only time will tell. However I think its ridiculous that people say you can't leave out boychuk. Sure you can. He isn't Chara or Seidenberg, he's an average 2nd pairing d man that might get a bit too much money.

I'm a big Ference fan, he's a warrior. I trust that whatever happens to him, the B's will make sure he is good with it.

I think it's also completely possible that money isn't a big thing for him anymore. He's made a good amount, and he might say i'll take a huge discount to be in boston. only time will tell. However I think its ridiculous that people say you can't leave out boychuk. Sure you can. He isn't Chara or Seidenberg, he's an average 2nd pairing d man that might get a bit too much money.

If Boychuk is an average 2nd pair d-man, what is Ference? Average 3rd pair?

No slight to Boychuk intended, but if I'm looking at the options, I see Chara and Seidenberg as a cut above. Boychuck and McQuaid are due to return, which leaves two potential openings for the three rooks (assuming they all look like this in the Fall). Ference has been outplayed by two of the three rooks, and Hamilton won't be going anywhere, so he'll be either looking for a deal elsewhere or maybe offered a non-playing gig if he wants it (depends on his injury and offers, I guess). So - do you deal Boychuk or McQuaid or do you hold off on one of Krug or Bartkowski until injuries strike?

There's an argument for trading JB - salary, maxed-out potential, return in trade. That's my only point in distinguishing him from Cedfano and Seidenberg.